CNHC NOVEMBER 2025 UPDATE
A fond farewell to Margaret Coats
Margaret Coats, CNHC’s current Chief Executive & Registrar, is retiring after 13 years with us and her last day will be 5 December 2025. Margaret moved from the private to the public sector in 1987 and prior to joining us her previous roles included:
- Head of the NHS Open Learning Unit
- Chief Executive, the Occupational Standards Council for Health & Social care
- Chief Executive & Registrar, the General Chiropractic Council.
Margaret often says it is her passion for healthcare standards and public protection that drew her to CNHC. Plus, a family experience of the benefits of complementary therapy for Post-Polio Syndrome.
The CNHC Board and staff team express their thanks to Margaret for all her hard work and commitment and wish her a very happy retirement.
CNHC’s new Chief Executive
CNHC is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Chief Executive, Joanne Shaw, from early 2026.
Joanne is a big advocate for complementary and natural healthcare and believes that it plays an important role in supporting both physical health and mental wellbeing. Having worked for 17 years in senior positions in the NHS public sector, and prior to that in the private sector, Joanne brings a range of experience in strategic leadership, governance, and financial management. Holding a non-executive role as Lay Director of the British Acupuncture Council has also provided Joanne with direct experience of accreditation, membership engagement, and championing professional standards in complementary healthcare.
Iain Mcinnes, CNHC Chair, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Joanne to CNHC as our new Chief Executive. We look forward to working closely with Joanne in the New Year in the challenging and exciting times ahead.”
Spotlight on CNHC registrants
CNHC registrant Katharine Tate meets HRH The Princess Royal at UK’s First Microbiome & Gut Health Festival and launches a school programme on the gut microbiome, nutrition and wellbeing
CNHC registered Nutritional Therapist and BANT member, Katharine Tate, who also sits on CNHC’s Profession Specific Board (PSB) for Nutritional Therapy, had the honour of meeting HRH The Princess Royal at Inside Out, the UK’s first festival dedicated to microbiome and gut health. Katharine worked with Global Healthcare Projects (GHP) as Education Project Lead, playing an instrumental role in the festival’s success and showcasing to the public the expertise of microbiome experts including several CNHC and BANT practitioners.
In collaboration with GHP, Katharine Tate has also launched The Micro Matrix, a free, curriculum-mapped programme for primary schools (KS1–KS2).The six-hour programme includes interactive lessons, assemblies, teacher guides, and make-at-home recipes, all designed to link classroom learning to the science of the gut microbiome. Resources are fully aligned with the National Curriculum and available online.
Update to therapy descriptor
The descriptors are the wording agreed with the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) for each of the professions on our Register that can be used by CNHC registrants in their advertising.
We have recently updated the descriptor for Craniosacral Therapy.
Job and volunteering opportunities for CNHC registrants
Crisis are seeking Wellbeing Volunteers to deliver complementary therapies such as Aromatherapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Massage (including Indian Head Massage), Reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu and Yoga Therapy to people experiencing homelessness over the Christmas period. Find out more hereFurther Details.
The Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at Ashford Hospital, Surrey is looking for complementary therapists practising Massage Therapy, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Microsystems Acupuncture, Reiki and Yoga Therapy. Find out more hereFurther Details.
The Mulberry Centre is currently looking for a Reiki practitioner who would be prepared to volunteer for half a day weekly at Meadow House Hospice, Ealing Hospital. Find out more hereFurther Details.
St Richard’s Hospice in Worcester are looking for volunteer complementary therapists practising at least two of the following disciplines: Aromatherapy, Reflexology, or Massage Therapy. Further Details.
